May 30, 2014
A cornea transplant procedure involves the removal of a portion of the cornea to be replaced with a new section from a donor. Also known as keratoplasty, a cornea transplant may be done if your cornea is already unable to allow light to enter the eye properly due to disease or scarring.
What does the cornea do?
The cornea is that clear tissue covering found at the front of your eyes. The light that enters the eye passes through the cornea first, then the pupil, and lastly the lens.
To see clearly and properly, the cornea must be kept clear. However, certain problems may cause damage to the cornea and your vision. These conditions include:
- Scarring of the cornea due to trauma or infection
- Keratoconus, a medical condition characterized by thinning of the cornea
- Corneal dystrophies, which may be inherited, such as Lattice dystrophy, Fuchs’ dystrophy, and others
How is a cornea transplant done?
There are different types of cornea transplants since the cornea is composed of five layers. The types include a penetrating cornea transplant, which involves all layers of the cornea, and the lamellar cornea transplant, which only includes some of the corneal layers.
Success rates for corneal transplants depend on the problem being fixed. Research has shown that the effects of the treatment usually last for 10 years for some percentage of patients with keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, and corneal scarring.
To schedule an eye exam or to learn more about cornea transplants, request an appointment with our team of cornea consultants by calling 602-258-4321. You can also send us a message by filling out this online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!
